In high school and college, I worked in a nursing home kitchen in Bethlehem. At some point, a resident named Mary Bednarik appeared on the meals list, and I thought nothing of it. Bednarik was a common enough Slovak name in Bethlehem. Most Bednariks were distantly related to each other at the very least. Because this was when I was in college, I worked there seasonally. I later learned that Mary was Chuck’s mother and that he would graciously sign autographs for employees and other visitors every Sunday after he finished visiting his mother.
Back in 2007 I was having lunch one day at the Burger King in Coopersburg, Pa. and as I was walking out I looked over and saw Chuck Bednarik sitting at a table by himself. I didn't bother him, but I knew exactly who he was, broken right pinkie finger and all. I knew that Mr. Bednarik lived in Coopersburg at the time, so it wasn't a shock, but more of a surprise. One of the all-time greats, thanks for doing this special on him. He deserved it.
My uncle played with Bednarik at Penn in the 40s. He said Bednarik hit him harder than anyone ever did, but added that all his hits were clean. He also noted that Bednarik had zero tolerance for hazing. One of his greatest compliments came from Jim Brown who noted present players had it easy, they never played against Bednarik. RIP Concrete Charlie.
I RAN INTO MR. BEDNARIK IN A SUPERMARKET NEAR COOPERSBURG. KIND, AND GRACIOUS, HE GAVE ME HIS TIME AND LISTENED TO MY QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS. HE WAS INDEED THE LAST OF HIS KIND IN FOOTBALL, A WAR HERO AND A GENTLEMAN. I WAS HONORED TO MEET HIM FOR SURE.
Never know cement head Chuck was in the military and flew combat missions. Tuff as nails. Only got to watch a few games he played in while in grade school. True hero.
I live in Allentown PA, which shares a border with Bednarik's birthplace, Bethlehem, and is home of The Morning Call newspaper you mentioned. Chuck has always been a legend in these parts, all the more because his whole career was here in eastern Pennsylvania: Becca (Bethlehem Catholic) and Liberty high schools, Penn (the University of Pennsylvania), and the Eagles.
Pretty funny that he said that quote about Deion Sanders and then who is this year's Bednarik award winner? Travis Hunter, Deion's protege and a guy who plays both ways lol. Great video, thanks for all you do on this channel!
I was fortunate in meeting Chuck when he was a speaker at a realtors meeting in Quakertown PA, which is very close to his hometown of Bethlehem. He had written a book entitled, Bednaric by Bednaric, and he autographed my copy of it.
Yes, Bednarik is remembered for playing center on offense and linebacker on defense, playing the entire game, Here is one fact you didn't mention: he also kicked off in that game. That 1960 NFL championship game was played at Franklin Field, where he played in college. And he was 36 years old when the Eagles won the championship. How many 36-year-olds are starting in the NFL today?
Yes, he is considered the last full-time offensive and defensive player. Sure, there have been others who played some on the other side where they normally play, but he was the last 60 minute man.
I was at Penn when he was playing. I rowed and was on training table in the spring when he worked ss a waiter. He could pick up a dinner plate with the flat of his hand. He was a single wing center and long snapper. His head was always up when he snapped
Back in those days, players didn’t make much money. With the exception of a handful of superstars, they had to take offseason jobs in order to pay their bills. In the off season, Bednarik worked as a concrete salesman, earning him the nickname “Concrete Charlie”.
Grew up in Coopersburg, PA and attended the same church. One time, he and his wife sat behind us and I didn’t realize it was him until I shook his hand and it was like shaking hands with a catchers mit 😅
supposedly at the end of a game where he's playing against the browns ; he had a fist fight with future steeler coach chuck noll . this was on tv for this a nationally broadcast game
The brief mention of Franklin field gives me goosebumps, but I'm sad to say I've never been. Footballs version of holy relics in my opinion are the stadiums. Harvard stadium, the Yale bowl, the big house etc are in sports world like some of those great structures in Rome or Greece. Essentially the mlb has two left and the NFL has only one. I have been to a few of the grand of stadium of modern powerhouses like michigan, notre dame and Ohio state however I would like to make a homage some day to the east coast and expirence places like Yale, Harvard & penn.
they call Charlie the 60 minute man but does that include special teams ? I've played both ways and special teams more then once. every football team I've played on since I was 10 years old I always played on all 4 special teams. I remember playing every play of a game and at the end of the game we were driving to score a winning touchdown and I was pass blocking and the other team kept sending in fresh bodies against me. I could hear them yelling from the sidelines, he's tired but I sucked it up and didn't give up a sack or a pressure. it had gotten personal by then because I'd caught their linebacker on a delayed blitz and blindsided him. it got so bad that when I was pass rushing I was getting punched in the face just about every time. I wouldn't acknowledge it, getting some very perplexed looks from them. everytime I walked on the field I was looking to knock someone out cold. I always remember the looks on the opposition players faces when they realized to late that they were going to get head butted at full speed by me. if you don't have bad intentions don't go out there. it's you or them as far as I was concerned.
It was always Bed-nair-ick not Bed-nar-ick. Met him once at a sports night sponsored by the union at JT Baker Chemical Co. I was around 12 at the time and I remember looking up at him and seeing this man smiling at me and offering his huge hand for a handshake. His brother, “Jeep” Bednarick, was an assistant football coach during my three years as a student at Easton High School in Easton, PA.
My son broke his was emergency don't know why he was but came over & talked to my son asked him how he was doing, my son had heard of mr bednarik and realized later that's who it was
Chuck was the biggest cry baby in Eagle's history. " he was a dirty player, he was a dirty player " that's what Chuck said about the greatest Eagle of all times ,Bucko Kilroy. ( Bucko used to have a saying " you knock him down I'll kick him " .) Bucko took pride in the fact that the entire Pittsburgh team once put a bounty on his head. Life magazine once signaled Kilroy out as the dirtiest player in football. Nfl films has a 4 minute documentary on him if you don't believe me. To the person of the channel, thank you for all the time and effort you put into this video, thumbs up and have a nice day.
Wow was a great story until the Sanders comment. That speaks to another side of what sounded like a great man., sounds like a man who was okay with my grandfather who also fought the NAZI`s yet was forced to ride BEHIND the German prisoners on their way back to Nuremberg. smh
In high school and college, I worked in a nursing home kitchen in Bethlehem. At some point, a resident named Mary Bednarik appeared on the meals list, and I thought nothing of it. Bednarik was a common enough Slovak name in Bethlehem. Most Bednariks were distantly related to each other at the very least. Because this was when I was in college, I worked there seasonally. I later learned that Mary was Chuck’s mother and that he would graciously sign autographs for employees and other visitors every Sunday after he finished visiting his mother.
I love hearing stories like this from you guys!
Back in 2007 I was having lunch one day at the Burger King in Coopersburg, Pa. and as I was walking out I looked over and saw Chuck Bednarik sitting at a table by himself. I didn't bother him, but I knew exactly who he was, broken right pinkie finger and all. I knew that Mr. Bednarik lived in Coopersburg at the time, so it wasn't a shock, but more of a surprise. One of the all-time greats, thanks for doing this special on him. He deserved it.
Bob, you’re a good person for not bothering Chuck Bednarik. Wow, what a great video. The greatest generation was indeed the greatest.
My uncle played with Bednarik at Penn in the 40s. He said Bednarik hit him harder than anyone ever did, but added that all his hits were clean. He also noted that Bednarik had zero tolerance for hazing. One of his greatest compliments came from Jim Brown who noted present players had it easy, they never played against Bednarik. RIP Concrete Charlie.
Outstanding report!
Yes, Chuck Bednarik was one of a kind.
Never to be forgotten.
The greatest Eagles player of all time. Saw him play throughout his career; none like him.
I RAN INTO MR. BEDNARIK IN A SUPERMARKET NEAR COOPERSBURG. KIND, AND GRACIOUS, HE GAVE ME HIS TIME AND LISTENED TO MY QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS. HE WAS INDEED THE LAST OF HIS KIND IN FOOTBALL, A WAR HERO AND A GENTLEMAN. I WAS HONORED TO MEET HIM FOR SURE.
Never know cement head Chuck was in the military and flew combat missions. Tuff as nails. Only got to watch a few games he played in while in grade school. True hero.
I live in Allentown PA, which shares a border with Bednarik's birthplace, Bethlehem, and is home of The Morning Call newspaper you mentioned.
Chuck has always been a legend in these parts, all the more because his whole career was here in eastern Pennsylvania: Becca (Bethlehem Catholic) and Liberty high schools, Penn (the University of Pennsylvania), and the Eagles.
Pretty funny that he said that quote about Deion Sanders and then who is this year's Bednarik award winner? Travis Hunter, Deion's protege and a guy who plays both ways lol. Great video, thanks for all you do on this channel!
I was fortunate in meeting Chuck when he was a speaker at a realtors meeting in Quakertown PA, which is very close to his hometown of Bethlehem.
He had written a book entitled, Bednaric by Bednaric, and he autographed my copy of it.
#60, the last 60 minute man, world champ in '60.
Watched the game with my father.
BTW, great job & keep up the good work. 🙂🏈👍🏻
Thank you!
Yes, Bednarik is remembered for playing center on offense and linebacker on defense, playing the entire game, Here is one fact you didn't mention: he also kicked off in that game. That 1960 NFL championship game was played at Franklin Field, where he played in college. And he was 36 years old when the Eagles won the championship. How many 36-year-olds are starting in the NFL today?
Yes, he is considered the last full-time offensive and defensive player. Sure, there have been others who played some on the other side where they normally play, but he was the last 60 minute man.
I vaguely remember him before he retired, he will always be part of our history in more ways than one
If Chuck saw the players dancing in the end zone like a bunch of Swifties he'd puke.
Excellent job with this
Thank you!!!!
I was at Penn when he was playing. I rowed and was on training table in the spring when he worked ss a waiter. He could pick up a dinner plate with the flat of his hand. He was a single wing center and long snapper. His head was always up when he snapped
Back in those days, players didn’t make much money. With the exception of a handful of superstars, they had to take offseason jobs in order to pay their bills. In the off season, Bednarik worked as a concrete salesman, earning him the nickname “Concrete Charlie”.
Excellent piece!
Thank you!
Bednarik was a different breed in his prime
His WWII experience made the NFL look like kindergarten!...Another example of the Greatest Generation!
Don't forget Bronco Nagurski, he was an offensive tank, usually had to be gang tackled to bring him down.
Grew up in Coopersburg, PA and attended the same church. One time, he and his wife sat behind us and I didn’t realize it was him until I shook his hand and it was like shaking hands with a catchers mit 😅
Concrete Charlie, one BAAAAAD Son of a gun ! Just ask Frank Gifford back then .
Wow....
supposedly at the end of a game where he's playing against the browns ; he had a fist fight with future steeler coach chuck noll . this was on tv for this a nationally broadcast game
"He couldn't tackle my wife." That says it all.
He told he told Deion sanders hat that
That his grandmother could tackle him lmao
The brief mention of Franklin field gives me goosebumps, but I'm sad to say I've never been. Footballs version of holy relics in my opinion are the stadiums. Harvard stadium, the Yale bowl, the big house etc are in sports world like some of those great structures in Rome or Greece. Essentially the mlb has two left and the NFL has only one. I have been to a few of the grand of stadium of modern powerhouses like michigan, notre dame and Ohio state however I would like to make a homage some day to the east coast and expirence places like Yale, Harvard & penn.
The Orange Bowl is in that echelon, in my humble opinion.
The games played in that stadium - college and pro - epic.
how about a video on niles kinnick
Nickname: Concrete Charlie
That says it all.
Concrete Charlie
Deacon Jones
The Rev / Minister of Defense
The 3 toughest in history.
They called him “Concrete Charlie” because he sold concrete in the off season. Back then the NFL didn’t pay enough to make it all year.
All-American in the most prpfound sense of the Term!
they call Charlie the 60 minute man but does that include special teams ? I've played both ways and special teams more then once.
every football team I've played on since I was 10 years old I always played on all 4 special teams. I remember playing every play of a game and at the end of the game we were driving to score a winning touchdown and I was pass blocking and the other team kept sending in fresh bodies against me. I could hear them yelling from the sidelines, he's tired but I sucked it up and didn't give up a sack or a pressure. it had gotten personal by then because I'd caught their linebacker on a delayed blitz and blindsided him. it got so bad that when I was pass rushing I was getting punched in the face just about every time. I wouldn't acknowledge it, getting some very perplexed looks from them. everytime I walked on the field I was looking to knock someone out cold. I always remember the looks on the opposition players faces when they realized to late that they were going to get head butted at full speed by me. if you don't have bad intentions don't go out there. it's you or them as far as I was concerned.
Just looking at his hands hurt.
Yeah, I didn't include a photo of his hands in the video. I should have.
Saw Chuck at Philly Park a few times betting on the ponies years ago
Can't listen to it if you pronounce his name "bed nar ik." For 60 years in philly, he was known as Chuck "Bed nare ik." Nare rhymes with bare.
It was always Bed-nair-ick not Bed-nar-ick. Met him once at a sports night sponsored by the union at JT Baker Chemical Co. I was around 12 at the time and I remember looking up at him and seeing this man smiling at me and offering his huge hand for a handshake. His brother, “Jeep” Bednarick, was an assistant football coach during my three years as a student at Easton High School in Easton, PA.
My son broke his was emergency don't know why he was but came over & talked to my son asked him how he was doing, my son had heard of mr bednarik and realized later that's who it was
It was his( hand), guess I should proof read before sending
Chuck was the biggest cry baby in Eagle's history. " he was a dirty player, he was a dirty player " that's what Chuck said about the greatest Eagle of all times ,Bucko Kilroy. ( Bucko used to have a saying " you knock him down I'll kick him " .) Bucko took pride in the fact that the entire Pittsburgh team once put a bounty on his head. Life magazine once signaled Kilroy out as the dirtiest player in football. Nfl films has a 4 minute documentary on him if you don't believe me. To the person of the channel, thank you for all the time and effort you put into this video, thumbs up and have a nice day.
Thank you! There will be more coming!
Wow was a great story until the Sanders comment. That speaks to another side of what sounded like a great man., sounds like a man who was okay with my grandfather who also fought the NAZI`s yet was forced to ride BEHIND the German prisoners on their way back to Nuremberg. smh
He said a lot of things about other players as well. I picked the Deion Sanders quote because Sanders is still very well known today.
He couldn't hold Dick Butkus's jock strap
Did Butkus play both ways?
He gave Frank Gifford a cheap neck shot that ended Gifford's career for a year!!
It definitely looks bad but was legal back in the day.
@@MichaelGeary-m8y Yes it was. Really a vicious blow,
I wonder how today's flash trash players ... would fare against a REAL MAN?? 😂